ABC And PEOPLE Team Up For A Second Two-Night Television Event On The Royal Family

'The Story of The Royals,' A Four-Hour Primetime Documentary Event, To Premiere August 2018
(March 13, 2018)

NEW YORK, March 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the critical and ratings success of last year's "The Story of Diana," ABC, PEOPLE, and Time Inc. Productions announce "The Story of The Royals," a four-hour primetime television event featuring the captivating lives of the British royal family. The event, which will air on ABC over two nights in August 2018, will showcase the key figures who represent four generations of the crown: Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George.

"The Story of The Royals" will capture the most current and comprehensive interviews with palace insiders, as well as royal experts and longtime PEOPLE contributors. The multipart series captures the mystique and history of the monarchy as it hits dizzying heights this spring with a new royal baby and the introduction of Meghan Markle, the first American to marry into the British royal family since Wallis Simpson in 1937. Through its many loves, losses, extravagances, challenges and charms, the British royal family has grown into a 21st-century monarchy, and "The Story of The Royals" will illustrate that evolution as well as examine the American obsession behind all things royal.

"PEOPLE is known for its extensive coverage of the royal family by reporters who are experts in the subject matter," said Jess Cagle, PEOPLE's editor in chief and editorial director, Entertainment and Style Group. "Our audience can't get enough of the royals; they continue to attract interest with each new generation."

"We are thrilled to be partnering again with ABC after last year's success, 'The Story of Diana,'" said Bruce Gersh, EVP/President of PEOPLE, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY and PEOPLE EN ESPANOL. "The Royals television event complements the incredible franchise PEOPLE has created across every platform."

Robert Mills, senior vice president, Alternative Series, Specials and Late Night for ABC, said, "Last year we had the honor of working with PEOPLE and Time Inc. Productions to share an insider's look at the compelling life of Princess Diana. With the world's overwhelming interest in the royal family, both past and present, we are excited to bring viewers this next chapter."

This marks the second time that ABC, PEOPLE and Time Inc. Productions will partner on a documentary event about the royal family. In August 2017, they teamed up for "The Story of Diana," a two-night documentary event marking the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's tragic passing at 36 years old. "The Story of Diana" Part One and Two debuted to impressive ratings, winning the two-hour timeslot over two consecutive nights.

"The Story of The Royals" reunites the same team that produced "The Story of Diana." Executive producer Ian Orefice of Emmy® Award-winning Time Inc. Productions has once again tapped Maura Mandt, the Emmy Award-winning producer and director, as executive producer, along with director Rebecca Gitlitz. Time Inc. Productions will distribute the documentary in international territories.

About ABC EntertainmentABC Entertainment airs compelling programming across all day parts, with new shows including fall's No. 1 new drama, "The Good Doctor"; as well as "Kevin (Probably) Saves the World"; and current hits such as groundbreaking dramas "Designated Survivor," "Quantico," "Scandal" "How to Get Away with Murder," "Grey's Anatomy," "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." and "Once Upon a Time." The ABC Television Network is also home to the Emmy Award-winning "Modern Family" and trailblazing comedy favorites "black-ish," "American Housewife," "Fresh Off the Boat," "The Goldbergs," "The Middle" and "Speechless"; hit game shows "$100,000 Pyramid," "Celebrity Family Feud," "Match Game" and "To Tell the Truth"; reality phenomenon "Shark Tank," iconic "The Bachelor" franchise, long-running hits "Dancing with the Stars" and "America's Funniest Home Videos," and the return of "American Idol"; "General Hospital," which has aired for over 50 years on the network, along with daytime talk show "The Chew"; and late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The network also boasts some of television's most prestigious awards shows, including "The Oscars®," "The CMA Awards" and "The American Music Awards."

About PEOPLEPEOPLE revolutionized personality journalism when it launched as a weekly in 1974 with a mission to celebrate extraordinary people doing ordinary things and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Ubiquitous and still at the center of pop culture more than 40 years later, the PEOPLE brand is accessible across all media and platforms (print, digital, video, OTT, mobile, social) bringing more than 100 million consumers a unique mix of breaking entertainment news, exclusive photos, video, unparalleled access to the red carpet, celebrities, and in-depth reporting on the most compelling newsmakers of our time. An essential component of PEOPLE's editorial vision remains human interest stories, which touch and often mirror the lives of our passionate audience. ComScore ranks the PEOPLE/Entertainment Weekly Digital Network No. 1 in the entertainment news category. And now, the PeopleTV app offers a free, advertiser-supported OTT streaming video service. PEOPLE is an award-winning 24/7 news organization headquartered in NYC with reporters worldwide. For more information visit PEOPLE.com and follow @people on Twitter and Instagram, @peoplemag on Facebook, and the PEOPLE channel on YouTube and on Snapchat's Discover.

About TIME INC. PRODUCTIONSTime Inc. Productions, the television production division of Meredith, is a full-service production company creating premium long-form content distributed on all platforms globally. Formed in 2016, the division touts an in-house award-winning creative team, state-of-the-art studios and post production facilities in New York and Los Angeles. The content and spirit of Time Inc.'s powerful and trusted iconic brands provide unlimited inspiration for Time Inc. Productions shows. Time Inc. Productions won an Emmy in 2017 for "A Year in Space" on PBS, and its shows have aired on or are in development with ABC, Apple, Netflix, Paramount Network, FOX, A&E, Investigation Discovery and other major networks.

About Meredith CorporationMeredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP; meredith.com) has been committed to service journalism for 115 years. Today, Meredith uses multiple distribution platforms — including broadcast television, print, digital, mobile and video — to provide consumers with content they desire and to deliver the messages of its advertising and marketing partners.

Meredith's National Media Group reaches nearly 200 million unduplicated American consumers every month, including 85 percent of U.S. millennial women. Meredith is a leader in creating content across media platforms and life stages in key consumer interest areas such as celebrity, food, lifestyle, home, parenting, beauty, fashion, news and sports. Meredith also features robust brand licensing activities including more than 3,000 SKUs of branded products at 4,000 Walmart stores across the U.S. and at walmart.com, as well as innovative business-to-business marketing solutions provided by Meredith Xcelerated Marketing.

Meredith's Local Media Group includes 17 television stations reaching more than 11 percent of U.S. households. Meredith's portfolio is concentrated in large, fast-growing markets, with seven stations in the nation's Top 25 and 13 in Top 50 markets. Meredith's stations produce 700 hours of local news and entertainment content each week, and operate leading local digital destinations.